Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swiftwas an Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer, poet and cleric who became Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionWriter
Date of Birth30 November 1667
CountryIreland
hands knives eating
They say fingers were made before forks, and hands before knives.
poppies praise infusion
All panegyrics are mingled with an infusion of poppy.
games play may
A stander-by may sometimes, perhaps, see more of the game than he that plays it.
men long age
Old men and comets have been reverenced for the same reason: their long beards, and pretences to foretell events.
life tragedy life-is
Life is a tragedy wherein we sit as spectators for a while and then act our part in it.
men shining company
Few are qualified to shine in company, but it is in most men's power to be agreeable.
men age criticism
If the men of wit and genius would resolve never to complain in their works of critics and detractors, the next age would not know that they ever had any.
beauty art height
For though, in nature, depth and height Are equally held infinite: In poetry, the height we know; 'Tis only infinite below.
littles body goodness
She has more goodness in her little finger than he has in his whole body.
lying responsibility excuse
An excuse is a lie guarded.
sarcasm men vices
It is as hard to satirize well a man of distinguished vices, as to praise well a man of distinguished virtues.
delicacy may judgment
A footman may swear; but he cannot swear like a lord. He can swear as often: but can he swear with equal delicacy, propriety, and judgment?
book scandal tongue
Nor do they trust their tongue alone, but speak a language of their own; can read a nod, a shrug, a look, far better than a printed book; convey a libel in a frown, and wink a reputation down.
past carpe-diem locks
Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is once past, there is no recalling it.